Apple iPad Pro 12.9" TI-GSRF MHNJ3LL/A 2021, M1, 8GB, 256GB, Silver

The 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro with the M1 chip is still a fantastic tablet in 2025, especially at renewed prices between USD 549 and USD 655. The Liquid Retina XDR display is gorgeous, battery life is strong, and the M1 handles everything iPadOS throws at it. It's not the newest iPad Pro, but it's the best value for a large-screen Apple tablet right now.

The M1 in this iPad Pro is the same chip that powered the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro in 2020 and 2021, and it's still fast. In our database, the CPU sits at the 58th percentile among tablets, which sounds mediocre until you remember that most tablets aren't running desktop-class silicon. For everyday tasks, app switching, and even 4K video editing in LumaFusion, this thing doesn't stutter. The 8GB of RAM is at the 66th percentile, which is fine for iPadOS but can feel tight if you're juggling a ton of Safari tabs, Procreate layers, and a video export at the same time.

The GPU lands at the 68th percentile, so gaming is solid but not top-tier. Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, and Divinity: Original Sin 2 all run smoothly at high settings. The 120Hz ProMotion display makes everything feel snappier, and the Liquid Retina XDR panel is the real star here. It's a mini-LED display with 2388x1668 resolution, and it hits the 80th percentile for screen quality. HDR content looks fantastic, and the 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness means you can actually use this outside without squinting. The 12MP rear camera and 10MP ultrawide front camera with Center Stage are fine for video calls and document scanning, but nobody's buying an iPad Pro for the cameras.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra 14.6-inch is the most direct Android competitor, and it's a beast. It has a bigger OLED screen and comes with an S Pen in the box, which Apple makes you buy separately. But iPadOS is still smoother for creative apps like Procreate and LumaFusion, and the M1 chip holds its own against Samsung's latest silicon. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is a different animal entirely. It runs full Windows 11, so it's a laptop replacement first and a tablet second. If you need desktop apps like full Photoshop or Excel, the Surface Pro 11 is the better pick. But it's heavier, the battery life is worse, and the tablet experience is clunkier.

The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus ZAEG0096US and Xiaomi Pad 7 are both cheaper Android options. The Lenovo has a unique design with a built-in kickstand and great speakers, but its processor is a step down from the M1. The Xiaomi Pad 7 is a solid budget pick with a 144Hz display, but it lacks the app ecosystem and long-term software support of the iPad. If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem, none of these Android tablets make sense. If you're platform-agnostic, the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is the only one that truly competes on display quality and performance.

At USD 549 to USD 655, this renewed 12.9-inch iPad Pro is a strong value, but the spread matters. We saw two US listings with a USD 106 difference, so it pays to check which store_name has the best deal before you buy. The lower end of that range puts it in direct competition with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra and the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, both of which offer newer hardware but often cost more. If you can snag this iPad Pro at USD 549, it's a steal. At USD 655, it's still reasonable but less of a no-brainer. The 256GB storage is at the 84th percentile among tablets, which is plenty for most people unless you're hoarding 4K video projects.

The Apple iPad Pro TI-GSRF MHNJ3LL/A is a 2021 12.9-inch tablet that still holds its own in 2025, especially at the renewed price point of USD 549 to USD 655. It sits in that premium tablet bracket where you're paying for the M1 chip, the Liquid Retina XDR display, and the Apple Pencil 2 support. People searching for a 12.9-inch iPad Pro for drawing, note-taking, or media consumption will find a lot to like here, but it's not the newest kid on the block anymore.

This specific model comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which is the sweet spot for most people. You get Wi-Fi 6, Thunderbolt over USB-C, Face ID, and that gorgeous 120Hz ProMotion screen. The 10,000mAh battery is rated for around 10 hours of use, and in our testing database, battery life lands in the 87th percentile among tablets. That's genuinely good, not just Apple marketing talk.

Is the 2021 iPad Pro still worth buying in 2025? For most people, yes, especially renewed. The M1 chip was overkill when this launched, and it still handles iPadOS, Procreate, LumaFusion, and multitasking without breaking a sweat. The main trade-offs are the older front camera placement and the fact that newer iPad Pros have the M4 and OLED displays. But at this price, those trade-offs feel a lot more reasonable.

Skip this if you need a true laptop replacement. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 runs full Windows 11, so it handles desktop apps, file management, and multitasking in ways iPadOS still can't. Heavy multitaskers who keep dozens of apps open should also look elsewhere, since 8GB of RAM can feel cramped. And if you're buying new and money isn't a concern, the M4 iPad Pro with its OLED display and thinner design is the better long-term buy. This 2021 model is for people who want the big-screen iPad experience without the big-screen price.

Should you buy the 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro in 2025? If you're looking for a large-screen tablet for drawing, note-taking, media consumption, or light creative work, and you don't want to spend USD 1,000+ on the M4 model, then yes. The M1 chip is still overkill for most iPadOS tasks, the display is one of the best you can get at this price, and the renewed pricing makes it a genuinely good deal. The 4.3-star rating across 1,428 reviews backs that up.

But if you need a laptop replacement, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is a better fit. If you want the absolute best display and don't mind paying for it, the M4 iPad Pro or the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra are worth a look. And if you're a heavy multitasker who keeps 20 apps open, the 8GB of RAM here might frustrate you. For everyone else, this is still one of the best tablet values on the market.